Norfolk Southern Rolls Out New Safety Train and Website to Educate First Responders
In keeping with a strong tradition of safety, Norfolk Southern recently rolled out a new educational train and website to help first responders across its network respond to potential rail-related incidents.
The train and website are part of Norfolk Southern’s Operation Awareness & Response (OAR) program. OAR was launched in 2015 to cultivate and strengthen relationships with local first responders by providing classroom, web-based, and field training on hazardous materials transportation, as well as information about rail operations.
The NS hazmat safety train is comprised of:
- A 2,000-horsepower, 273-ton locomotive painted in honor of emergency responders with insignia recognizing police, fire, and emergency services
- Two boxcars converted into classrooms, each capable of holding 30 people
- Four styles of tank cars, including DOT-105, DOT-111, DOT-112, and DOT-117, to illustrate a variety of car valves and fittings
- Two 89-foot flatcars designed to transport intermodal containers
Norfolk Southern also launched its new JoinNSOAR.com website today to provide the public with information about transporting hazardous materials and the economic benefits of moving hazardous materials by rail.
Following the kickoff, the NS hazmat safety train will travel to 14 states across the railroad’s network. Upcoming training sessions, which are by invitation, will include Harrisburg, Penn.; Baltimore; Chicago; Alexandria, Va.; and Columbia, S.C. The train’s schedule and contact information can be found at JoinNSOAR.com.
